For The Weekenders: 12 Gifts for 12 Days of Christmas…

I know, this For The Weekenders is a bit late…but with good reason. With the holidays coming up and all, I thought I’d make this For The Weekenders…special. I’ve been doing some Christmas shopping the past week or so and have come across some great stuff that I personally would love to have and definitely consider buying. So here’s 12 gift ideas that’ll knock off any recipient’s socks…or stockings? Enjoy.

#12. Complete Bar Tool Set – The Modern Mixologist. For The Mini Bar Enthusiasts. We all have that one friend…orders drinks we’ve never heard of, has the (not so) mini bar at home with enough gadgets and mixology utensils to make the best bar tender envious, and albeit all this, could still do with a few more “accessories”. This is where the Complete Bar Tool Set comes into play. Order up this and they’ll be thanking you past New Year’s day.

#11. Personalized Leather Fly Swatter – Orvis. Nostalgia Rang; it Wants it’s Fly Swatter Back. This one may be more suited for your grandparents. Kids these days don’t understand the definition of bored.

When I was younger, before smart phones and PS3, there was NES, playing outside, and team sports…and when you really got bored or wanted milk and cookies – your grandparents handed you a fly swatter and shoved you outside (only me? Hm…). Either way, came across this nifty little thing and it brought back memories. Good as a gag gift, or for when you want to chase flies away from your picnic or barbecue with style.

#10. Portland Merino Wool Polo – Finisterre UK. Even Warm Climates Get Cold at Some Point. Finisterre UK know this, hailing from Northern England, a place where beaches and moores are both visited. Stay warm in this during the winter months of a tropical locale, or remedy that “in between” comfort level of even the coldest climate’s summer days. They even took the time out to make the Polperro Jumper available for women as well – so go ahead, give them a round of applause.

#9. Hunting Slingshot – Hella Slingshots. Bringing Back a Childhood Favorite. It’s odd how many things people used to play with as children no more than a few decades ago are now considered for adults only…can’t even find candy cigarettes in the store anymore. *Shrugs* oh well – for that child in all of us, Hella Slingshots came up with the brilliant idea to bring back well, the slingshot. Except more sophisticated…refined. Downright classy. Straight out of San Francisco and handmade from Rosewood, this slingshot features a leather launch pouch, natural latex tubing and imitation sinew. Translation: built to last, for years to come. Perfect for that friend who always carried a slingshot in their back pocket. I recommend Hunting Slingshot #3.

#8. Tetsubo War Club – Nihonzashi. For The History Enthusiasts…and history this thing has. Having previously lived in Japan, I just had to share this with you guys. Dating back to feudal Japan, and with the Kanabo associated to mythical Oni (Japanese demon), this is one for your mantle piece. Weighing in at over 10 lbs., this is no weapon to be messed with, but instead admired and respected. A special gift for someone you really “bro it up with” or care for in general, these are custom made to your specifications, making them all the more unique. This holiday, throw a little bit of history into someone’s den (like, for instance mine).

#7. Black Tie Special Reserve Gold Hand Rolled Cigar Gift Box – London Cut Cigars. Because Any Cigar Gift Should Be Special…and special is what you’ll get with this extraordinarily luxurious gift box from London Cut Cigars. Dominican tobacco hand rolled in Connecticut shade wrapper, further rolled in 24K edible gold. Comes in a box that looks like one solid bar of gold, and of course a Black Tie Cigar Cutter. What sets this cigar gift box apart from the rest? When you smoke it, this cigar ashes gold. For those moments when you want a truly unforgettable smoking experience, London Cut Cigars is your go-to shop.

#6. Tailor Made Wetsuit Bespoke 3/2 – Swamis Surf Shop. Everything’s Better Tailor Made. A wet suit is no exception. Anyone who surfs or dives understands and appreciates the benefits of a custom made, tailored wet suit, which provides for a better, more snug fit, more warmth, virtually zero water logging and water entrance, plus more. Great for yourself or someone you know who hits the beach just as much as you do.

#5. Custom Made Surfboards. Speaking of Tailored, Why Not Add a Board to That, with Almond Surfboards & Designs. Nothing says “Happy Christmas” like a custom made to order Surfboard. These guys take the time out to get to know their customers, their wants, needs, then take that information and steer it toward making a quality board. Get one for yourself or that special someone now.

#4. Shower Clean Suits – Konaka Japan. Sometimes suits can be a real….hassle. You’ve gotta make sure they’re properly maintained. They can’t just be thrown in the wash. If you get drunk one night out on the town and you’re dappered up, the last thing you want is waking up realizing someone threw you in a shower with your best threads on just to get you sober…but in the odd case that does happen, you won’t have to worry if you’ve got one of Konaka’s Shower Clean Suits handy. That is to say you can clean these suits – in the shower. Let that sink in…………….Neat, right? Yeah. Thought so. You’re welcome.

One last thing – Konaka being a Japanese company and all, the site’s in, well, Japanese. Now would be a good time to cash in on that number you got from that one person at that bar in Tokyo. Or just use Google translator.

#3. A Hammock…That’s a Bathtub…and Carbon Fiber. This Christmas, Get Ready for a Whole Lot of Elegance. Let’s be honest, bubble baths can be fun. As long as no one knows about it, you’re pretty much all for them (don’t deny it – you knicked your wife’s/girlfriend’s lavender scented bubble bath that one time she was visiting family)…but sliding into a tub as if you’re in a Celine Dion music video just feels weird. Sliding into a hammock with an Old Fashioned in one hand and the remote to your stereo in the other? Much bettter. Which is why Splinter Works UK thought up the brilliant idea to make a bathtub, in the shape of a hammock. I like to call it a Hathtub…or Bammock, I’m still deciding. Splinter Works calls it Vessel – much sexier. This is probably a good gift for an anniversary – or yourself. Whichever way the wind blows. Your choice.

#2. Luxury Speed Bags – Kill Spencer. Boxing Just Earned Its “Sophistication” Badge. You can thank Kill Spencer for that. Hand crafted out of Los Angeles by a small team of professionals, you can get fit with the whole Boxing Kit which includes a steel pyramid frame, stainless steel swivel, and a supple, aesthetically pleasing, supple leather speed bag. Because sometimes, man made materials just don’t cut it – even when you’re punching the crap out of something. Knuckles need love, too.

…and Now, for #1 on the List, Drum Roll Please…

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….*Drum Roll*….

Safety Never Looked So Dapper.

#1. With Money, Comes Occupational Hazards…and With Occupational Hazards, Comes Bulletproof Suits. Because The Price of a Life is: Priceless. That’s what the guys at Garrison Bespoke believe. They also believe that albeit life being priceless, that’s no excuse for fashion to suffer or be sacrificed. So they rolled back their sleeves and came up with the ultimate challenge in tailoring, making their clients feel like real “James Bond” types – with custom fitted, painstakingly tailored 3 piece suits that protect all the vital organs the human body has and more. With the capability to stop .22, 9mm, and .45 bullets. The best part? It doesn’t feel like you’re lugging around an extra person on your body. So you can feel safe, and stylish. Here, take these aviators…that’ll complete the “look”.

Michael Nguyen showing off the bullet proof suit and bullet holes made during a test run in Toronto.